The Universe Boss Unfiltered: Chris Gayle's Heartbreak Over Punjab Kings' 'Kid' Treatment and Kumble's Silence

Cricket's 'Universe Boss,' Chris Gayle, has once again opened up about his tumultuous final seasons with Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab), revealing a profound sense of disappointment and feeling undervalued by the franchise. In a candid interview, Gayle didn't hold back, stating he felt he was treated like a 'kid' during his stint with the team, particularly expressing his disillusionment with then-head coach Anil Kumble.

The West Indian legend, known for his explosive batting and larger-than-life persona, joined Punjab Kings in 2018 and played until the 2021 season.

Despite his immense stature and match-winning capabilities, Gayle felt a distinct lack of respect towards the end of his tenure. 'I did not get the respect I deserved,' Gayle emphatically stated, adding, 'So I said, ‘Okay, that’s it. You guys don’t want to give me respect, I’m not going to get it.

So I’m off.’'

A significant part of his grievance stems from the communication—or lack thereof—from the management, especially Anil Kumble. Gayle recounted a particularly galling incident where, after discussing his potential inclusion in the playing XI for a crucial match, he was subsequently told he would be rested for 'workload management.' This explanation struck Gayle as baffling and disrespectful, given he had hardly played any games and certainly wasn't suffering from an excessive workload.

'Anil Kumble came to me and said ‘Chris, you will be playing this game.

I said ‘thank you so much, I’ve been waiting for a long time.’ He came back to me and said ‘Chris, I am sorry, you are not going to be playing this game. We are going to make sure you play the next game.’ What was even worse is that he said ‘we are resting you.’ And I’m like, ‘rest me? I didn’t play any games.

Are you serious?’' Gayle expressed, highlighting the absurdity of the situation from his perspective.

The lack of clear communication and the perceived disrespect left a bitter taste in the mouth of a player who has given so much to the sport, particularly in the T20 format. Gayle's emotional comments underscore the human element behind professional sports, where even legendary figures crave honest dialogue and recognition for their contributions.

For the 'Universe Boss,' a player who transformed T20 cricket and remains one of its biggest draws, his departure from the IPL circuit was far from the grand farewell he might have envisioned.

His revelations serve as a poignant reminder that even the biggest stars can feel the sting of unfulfilled expectations and the desire for a more dignified conclusion to their illustrious careers.